Jessica Duran
http://www.stellapopeduarte.com/photo.html
The universal appeal of art is apparent both in ancient and modern times. Artwork has the power to evoke an array of intense emotions from its audience. Its seductive and illusive influence is a central controversial debate in Plato’s The Republic, in which the place for art in an ideal society and how to evaluate it are discussed in great detail. For this assignment, I chose the Vietnam War memorial as an example of a current artwork that serves to direct our nation toward unity. This national war memorial was erected in honor of the members of the
I believe that Plato would agree that the Vietnam War Memorial is a valid example of a current artwork that leads our nation toward unity. In book X of The Republic, Plato states, “Notwithstanding this, let us assure our sweet friend and the sister arts of imitation that if she will prove her title to exist in a well-ordered State we shall be delighted to receive her”). Plato spoke extensively on how the arts had the power to shape a person’s character and psyche. He believed that art was a cheap imitation that clouded our ultimate understanding of the truth and therefore reasoned that art must prove itself to be useful in order to be allowed in an ideal state. I believe that this memorial proves itself useful by allowing people to reflect on the high price that we pay for war and also the precious value of human life. It also reinforces the importance of accepting and embracing the differences of others if we are ever to achieve true peace and harmony. Each year as millions of people visit this memorial, I hope that they leave remembering to always actively pursue the ideal Forms of Peace, Justice, Equality, Unity, and Harmony, not only in our nation, but also on a global level as well.
http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/directory/a/anti-american.asp
Though art can serve to be beneficial to mankind on many counts, it can also serve to have detrimental effects as well. For this part of the assignment, I chose this cartoon as an example of art that serves to separate our nation and prevents us from ever truly uniting as one.
3 comments:
I really liked your choice of the Vietnam War memorial as a piece of progressive art. The quote from Book X was very appropriate, when I read it the first time I didn't understand it, but when you put it in context it made perfect sense. I am of the opinion that art can be very influential, which is why I also like your second selection of art. To represent the president as a drooling, brainless, imbecile is an insult to the country as a whole. I also believe that this kind of art influences people and puts ideas in their heads. Perhaps there might not be quite so many people bashing the president if we were not constantly flooded with biased reports of presidential stupidity by the media (like the cartoon.)For this reason I think it is a perfect example of something Plato would ban from the Republic, he was a fan of a more tyrannical society, he would certainly not condone art work that insulted the head of state.
Your explanation of Plato's thoughts regarding images and their selective acceptability in society (based on their usefulness) was very insightful. The quotes both fit perfectly, in a way that I had not noticed before reading your post.
These two sentences specifically seemed to explain his views perfectly: "He believed that art was a cheap imitation that clouded our ultimate understanding of the truth and therefore reasoned that art must prove itself to be useful in order to be allowed in an ideal state" and, "He believed that if the arts were not strictly censored, then we would never find truth and wisdom."
I also really liked your views on how the memorial itself can help to move the nation forward. However, I do not believe that Plato would have seen it in quite such a light. Speaking with historical knowledge regarding his inherited admiration for the military state, I think that Plato may have found the memorial useful for the society only as a means of unifying the country and honoring the bravery of those who died... and not as a reminder for all to work together as equals. Our interpretation of the memorial as such a reminder comes, I think, from the ideals that we hold as a democracy.
As for the cartoon in the second part of your blog, I fully agree that Plato would have seen it as being extremely detrimental to the society for the reasons of disunity and disrespect which you stated.
Jessica,
Your argument is extremely well put together and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I want to be clear that I’m not refuting anything you have said about the power and importance of this structure, only offering another interpretation. I believe that the Vietnam war Memorial was built with the ideas you mentioned in mind. The deceased and missing soldiers are honored by its existence and they are well remembered for their service to the United States. For these reasons I think that the memorial would have Plato’s official approval, but the monument can also cause emotional reactions with which I do not expect he would be pleased.
Family members, friends, and concerned citizens often visit the memorial to mourn the loss of these men rather than celebrate their contribution to the nation. In many eyes, it stands as a reminder of a terrible mistake made by the American government, a period of social unrest and dissent. Plato made his views on how the soldier or “guardian” should be perceived quite clear in Chapter 10 of Republic. Part of his argument insisted that the death of a fighter must not be seen as a great tragedy to his companions or fellow citizens. They must not fear or mourn death, but face it with conviction. He also felt that indulgence in one’s own suffering or the misery of other’s was a display of weakness and ought to be controlled so that logic and reason might have sovereignty over emotion. Theoretically, I think that Plato would have approved of the memorial. However, after witnessing responses by the public, he may have changed his mind.
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